NARS Olympia Contour Blush Review

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I’m excited today to be able to show you the NARS Olympia contour blush. The NARS Contour blushes are made up of 3 shades – Olympia, Paloma and Gienah. I was concerned that with just three shades available in the contour blush formula that the lightest would be too dark for me and that the darkest shade would not work for the deepest of skintones.

About the Contour Blush
A duo of contouring blush shades to create natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish. A deeper shade enhances definition while a lighter shade illuminates the high points of the face.

To create a beautiful sculpted cheek, apply the deeper shade of the Contour Blush to the hallow of the cheek with the Contour Brush #21. Using the Blush Brush #20, sweep the lighter shade across the cheekbone towards the temple to soften and highlight. Finish the look with a pop of your favorite Blush shade on the apples of the cheek. – Shayna Shapiro, Lead Trainer

I took swatches under different lighting conditions. On the left is the highlighter shade and on the right is the contour shade. To me the highlighter is a pale vanilla, while the contour is a peachy brown. I’m happy to say that to me, Olympia is a good match for my skintone. If you’re curious about how Gienah works for deeper skintones, please check out The Style and Beauty Doctor’s review. For the middle shade, Paloma, check out Makeup & Beauty Blog’s review.

I’ve got just the contour applied above, on both cheeks.

Above, I’m wearing the contour shade and highlighter on my cheek. I think the two together look nice.

Above I’m wearing the NARS Olympia Contour duo with a pop of blush.

I feel like Olympia is the perfect contour highlighter duo for my skintone. It’s easy to apply. It’s got a great texture. It wears well. If you’re pale and afraid of contouring, swatch this one! I was afraid it would be too warm for my skintone but I like how it turned out.

Contouring isn’t for everyone. I love the shades of these colors, mattes are always a favorite and like the fact that you didn’t go too crazy on the application. (Hope not sounding to critical here, it is from a makeup artist’s POV).

I’ve been obsessing about Olympia lately. Read a few reviews and many seem to find the bronzing color a tad too rosy. However, it’s looks so natural on you. ‘Natural’ is what I’m leaning towards for contouring these days .

I have a pink overtone from my rosacea (which I usually try to minimize with foundations). I definitely found it to be a flattering shade on my neutral / warm coloring. I can see how it would be too rosy on some, though!

People have been going crazy for this one. I personally would need to see it in front of me before I could decide.

cindyprimebeauty

wow, that is so natural!

Lorrin Massengill

It looks much prettier on you than in the packaging. I would definitely consider it!

Souhaila El-Souki

@phyrra:disqus I’m glad that you linked this in your latest Pale Girls Guide to Contouring! For powder, I might very well be better off with this than a palette…..Especially because it’s not too warm for you. I just think cream really takes a lot of practice and time to get right you know? I can also practice using my Etude as well. Do you have a brush you like that is less expensive than the NARS ? thanks!

I use a small soft duofiber brush – either ecoTools or Real Techniques. Definitely less expensive than NARS.

Souhaila El-Souki

Awesome, thanks so much! I have loved all the recommedations you’ve given me on brushes, fabulous. Yeah, I just can’t see spending $42.00 on a brush right now, especially because I can get two other makeup items I want for that price and I’m also not a pro makeup artist!